Lions vs Rams Predictions: Quick Facts
The table below quickly highlights the most important facts related to odds for this Week 1 matchup.
| ⭐ Favorite | Lions |
| ⚖️ Lions Win | 64.3% Chance |
| 🔢 Point Spread | DET -3.5 |
| 📊 Moneyline | DET -190 |
| 📈 Game Total | o/u 52.5 |
| ✅ Last Verified | December 20, 2024 |
In addition to the odds-related quick facts, we also have the expected lineups, the weather forecast, location details, relevant statistics and injuries for the game, which is critical info to consider alongside the betting lines.
In addition to the odds-related quick facts, we also have the expected lineups, the weather forecast, location details, relevant statistics and injuries for the game, which is critical info to consider alongside the betting lines.
In addition to the odds-related quick facts, we also have the expected lineups, the weather forecast, location details, relevant statistics and injuries for the game, which is critical info to consider alongside the betting lines.
Watch: Breaking Down Lions vs Rams Odds
Who is Favored to Win?
The Lions are favored to beat the Rams in Week 1 of the 2024-2025 season. Comparing multiple betting markets across sportsbooks like FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM reveals the Lions are the unanimous favorite against the Rams following the initial release of the NFL schedule.
What is the Spread?
The point spread for Lions vs Rams is DET -3.5 points, which means Detroit is expected to win by 4 or more points. Initially, most betting sites opened the point spread market at DET -3.0 but betting action since then has drove it to DET -3.5 points, which is where it stands currently.
Breaking Down Moneylines
The moneyline for Lions vs Rams is set at DET -190 and LAR +166, according to FanDuel. Taking a look at the competition, DraftKings lists LA at +160, which is the best odds available if you want to back the Rams. FanDuel's DET -180 is the best bang-for-your buck if you are looking to back the Lions outright.
Game Total: Over/Under
The game total for Lions vs Rams is set at over/under 52.5 points, according to DraftKings and BetMGM. But, if you look at FanDuel, the world's largest sportsbook, they have the total currently set at over/under 51.5 points. The game initially opened at 50.5 points across most betting apps but action since it opened has driven the total up over 52.5 points.
Related Lions Betting Content:
Detroit Lions Chances to Win vs LA Rams
The Lions have a 64.3% chance to beat the Rams in Week 1, according to the implied probability of their current odds. Let's breakdown the math:
-180 ÷ (-180 + 100) * 100 = 64.3%
In order to calculate the Lions chances to beat the Rams, you must first take the current odds (-180) and add 100. Then, you divide the current odds by the number you just calculated. Lastly, mulitple the new number by 100 to find the implied probability for the favorite.
Odds from one operator imply Detroit has as high as a 65.8% chance to win but that is the outlier as most oddsmakers agree on a 64.3% chance.
How Detroit Wins vs LA
What will it take for the Lions to beat the Rams in Week 1?
- Contain Kyren Williams
- Establish the Run Early
First, Detroit will need to contain RB Kyren Williams, who ran for over 100 yards in five of his last seven games before running into a wall (61 total yards) against Detroit in the playoffs.
Behind QB Matthew Stafford, the Rams' offense relies on play-action and if the Lions' defense can stop the run game, it significantly impacts the air attack. If Stafford is forced to drop back, it gives Detroit's new-and-improved secondary – featuring Carlton Davis II & Terrion Arnold – simple assignments without needing to step up in run support.
On the offensive side of the ball, Detroit will need to stick to what works: Establishing the run early and finishing the game with strong play-action throws from QB Jared Goff. The lightning-and-thunder duo of David Montgomery & Jahmyr Gibbs led Detroit to a top-five rushing offense in every category.
With future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald no longer anchoring the LA defensive line, their rushing defense has a nightmare matchup against the Lions.
Other Notable Lions Matchups:
How LA Wins vs Detroit
How can LA reverse the script and avenge their playoff loss from a year ago?
- Scoring Early
- Attacking Detroit's Weaknesses
We already pointed out Kyren Williams' low yardage output from a year ago. In fact, he only carried the ball 13 times that night, which was his lowest mark since Week 3. Detroit left LA with no choice but to abandon the run by jumping out to a 14-3 lead in the 1st Quarter.
The more they handed it off, the less time they had to erase a deficit. Ensuring they're not immediately playing catchup so they have the time to establish the run is a contingency for the Rams to come out on top at Ford Field.
While Williams was key to LA's success last season, they don't need him to be spectacular to win this matchup. Ultimately, LA's best chance at winning is through the air. Yes, Detroit revamped their secondary on paper. Still, they'll start at least 1-2 rookies at cornerback and get above-average pass coverage at best out of their linebackers.
Last season, the Lions gave up the second-most passing yards per attempt and the most explosive passing plays (20 yards or more) in the NFL. With the strong arm of Stafford and an elite core of wideouts in Cooper Kupp & Puka Nacua, LA has the inventory to attack Detroit's defensive weaknesses.
How to Bet on the Game
If you are in Michigan and want to bet on Lions vs Rams, you have an array of options. You can bet online by downloading a betting app like FanDuel, DraftKings or BetMGM, all of which are available in the state and have odds live for this Week 1 rematch. You can also bet in-person at the many brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in the state including MGM Grand Detroit or MotorCity Casino Hotel.
Exclusive Promos for Betting on the Game
I went through every sports betting app in Michigan to find all the exclusive sportsbook promos available for the Lions Week 1 matchup and listed them below. I've personally used all of these promotions, so I highly recommend capitalizing on each and every one if you're going to bet on the Lions.
How to Watch the Game
The channel to watch the Lions vs Rams Week 1 matchup has not been announced yet, but expect it to be on one of the following channels: ABC, CBS, FOX, ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. We will update this page as soon as the channel is announced. Fortunately, the NFL schedule drop revealed Detroit will play Los Angeles on Sunday, January 28, 2024; kickoff is set for 8:20pm ET.
History of Lions vs Rams
The Lions and Rams have a rich history dating back to the Rams time in Cleveland throughout the 30s and 40s. The team has faced off dozens of time throughout the past century with the Rams holding a slight advantage head-to-head against the Lions.
Record All-Time
- Games Played = 88
- Rams Wins = 45
- Lions Wins = 42
- Ties = 1
- Playoff Matchups = 2
- Super Bowl Matchups = 0
- First Matchup = 1937
- Last Matchup = 2024
The Detroit Lions have faced off against the Cleveland/Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams 88 times total. The Rams have won 45 games, while the Lions have won 42 games. The teams have tied once, back in 1964.
The two franchises have faced off twice in the playoffs if you count the 1952 National Conference championship. The other playoff matchup was just last year in the NFC Wild Card Game.
The first game played between these two franchises was November 10, 1937, but, back then, the Rams were in Cleveland. Detroit played 15 times prior to the Rams moving to LA (the first time).
Last 5 Times They Played Each Other
| DATE | MATCHUP | WINNER |
| 01/14/2024 | LAR @ DET* | Lions (23-24) |
| 10/24/2021 | DET @ LAR | Rams (19-28) |
| 12/02/2018 | LAR @ DET | Rams (30-16) |
| 10/16/2016 | LAR @ DET | Lions (28-31) |
| 12/13/2015 | DET @ STL | Rams (14-21) |
* = playoff game
Last 5 Games They Played This Year
How Did the Lions Beat the Rams? NFC Wild Card Recap
You can't get any closer than last year's NFC Wild Card game, which ended in a one-point, 24-23, win for Detroit.
From a bird's eye view, the Lions' path to victory over the Rams was simple: They got out to an early 14-3 lead in the 1st Quarter and didn't trail once all game. However, a closer look at the game flow paints a clearer picture of their strategy and why it worked.
The Lions took the opening drive for 10 plays, evenly distributing the ball on the ground & in the air while wasting over five minutes on the clock. Still, LA didn't budge, immediately responding with a field goal. Once Detroit got the ball back, they were not passive.
That decision would inevitably win them the game.
They played to win and were extremely aggressive, passing the ball on four of the drive's five plays for 60 yards, then finishing it with a 10-yard touchdown run from Gibbs. Of course, Stafford & Co. would battle back but never took a lead. Despite Detroit scoring 21 of its 24 total points in the first half, its stout rush defense forced LA to abandon the ground game.
From there, the Lions would key in on the pass, which led to five tackles for loss and three sacks. Detroit QB Jared Goff (277 passing yards) iced the game against his old team with a pass over the middle to Amon-Ra St. Brown (110 receiving yards), forcing LA to watch the time expire and their season end.
FAQs
The Lions are favored to beat the Rams by 4 or more points in Week 1. Every major sportsbook agrees the Lions are the clear favorite. Detroit opened as the favorite and has been the favorite since.
The game total for Lions vs Rams has moved to over/under 51.0 points. The market initially opened at 50.5 points across most betting apps but has moved to 51.0 points recently. When they faced off in last year's Wild Card Round, the game total was 47 (23-24).
If you are in Michigan, you can bet on Lions vs Rams in-person and online. You can visit one of many physical sportsbooks around the state or download one of the many betting apps.
The Lions and Rams play again Week 1 of the upcoming 2014-25 season after battling in last season's NFC Wild Card Round. The game is set for Sunday, September 8, 2024 at 8:20pm ET.
The keys to the Lions beating the Rams last time they played were they got out to an early lead, they were not passive on offense once they were up and, on Defense, their stout rush defense forced LA to abandon the ground game early.
Author
Brandon Justice is a Writer, Commercial Editor, and Fact Checker for BetMichigan.com. He also writes about the Michigan Wolverines & Detroit Lions, two teams he spent seven years covering professionally. Additionally, the Metro Detroit, Michigan native has covered numerous sports betting perspectives, including everything from analysis & daily picks to reviews & guides.
